Post News Network
Puri, April 9: Bagala dharmashala, once the most sought-after lodging house along the Grand Road here, is facing myriad problems due to poor maintenance.
The dharmashala is being managed by Puri Lodging House Fund, constituted by the Bihar and Orissa Pilgrimage Act of 1920. At present, the district collector is acting as the chairman of the Fund while the municipal executive officer is authorised to look after the day-to-day affairs of the dharmashala.
The dharmashala, a three-storied building, has VIP suites, bedrooms and dormitories for tourists and devotees. Besides, marriage and thread ceremonies are being organised on the premises of the dharmashala on rent. At present, a dozen staffers have been employed at the dharmashala.
However, gross mismanagement over the years has taken a toll on the lodging house. As many as 12 VIP suites have been closed due to a technical snag in the water supply system for over a year. The ceilings of eight of the 32 bedrooms are in a dilapidated condition and the attached bathrooms are defunct, sources said.
A majority of the lavatories meant for dormitories has been abandoned due to lack of proper maintenance. The fans and lighting systems in rooms have not been repaired for years. The bedsheets and pillow covers in almost all rooms have turned filthy in the absence of regular washing, sources added.
Recently, the electricity department has cut power supply to the dharmashala due to non-payment of bills for the last three months. According to sources, the revenue of the dharmashala has come down significantly over the years due to poor footfall.
Local MLA Maheswar Mohanty and civic body chairperson Jayanta Sarangi blamed Puri Lodging House Fund authorities for the sorry state of affairs at Bagala dharmashala.
“The dharmashala is facing several problems due to poor management. The state government and the district administration should renovate the dharmashala ahead of the Nabakalebar ritual,” said lawyer Rudra Nandan Mishra.
“We will soon convene a meeting of all concerned parties to chalk out a strategy to revive the Bagala dharmashala ahead of Nabakalebar,” district collector Aravind Agrawal said.
